Social Studies Unit
Maps and Globes
Vocabulary Students need to know the meaning of
each word.
continent – large land mass. There are seven
continents in the world.
ocean – large body of water. There are four oceans in
the world.
sphere – a solid figure in the shape of a ball. The
globe is an example of a sphere.
hemisphere – half of a sphere (globe) created by the
prime meridian or the equator.
equator – an imaginary line around the middle of the
Earth that divides the globe into the northern and
southern hemispheres.
prime meridian – an imaginary line that divides the
globe into the eastern and western hemispheres.
region – places that have common characteristics.
Maps have:
title – name that tells what the map shows.
legend (key) – tells what the colors and symbols on a
map mean.
compass rose – a symbol that shows direction.
cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west.
scale – shows the real distance between objects on a
map.
Important Information Students need to know:
1. There are seven continents in the world: North
America, South America, Asia, Africa, Europe,
Australia, and Antarctica.
2. The equator divides the Earth into the northern and
southern hemispheres.
3. The prime meridian divides the Earth into the
eastern and western hemispheres.
4. There are four oceans in the world: Atlantic,
Pacific, Indian, and Arctic.
5. The United States is located on the continent of
North America.
6. A letter and number grid system on a map is used
to locate places.
Skills Students should be able to:
1. Label the continents and the oceans on a map of
the world.
2. Label the equator and the prime meridian on a map
of the world.
3. Find an exact location on a map using a letter and
number grid system.
4. Draw a map of a familiar area.